Russia'srejectionofLithuaniaoccupationclaimsfinal-ministry

Moscow does not intend to revisit the issue of Lithuania's compensation demands to Russia for what it terms the "Soviet occupation," the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

MOSCOW, January 18 (RIA Novosti) - Moscow does not intend to revisit the issue of Lithuania's compensation demands to Russia for what it terms the "Soviet occupation," the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

The Lithuanian parliament passed Tuesday a resolution demanding compensation for damage caused by the Soviet occupation.

"Our position is well known and has been stated repeatedly," the ministry said. "The assertions about Lithuania's 'occupation' by the Soviet Union and the related claims ignore all legal, historical and political realities, and are therefore utterly groundless."

Moscow expressed its profound regret over the resolution passed by Lithuanian lawmakers upholding the compensation claim.

"To us, the issue is closed, and Russia does not intend to reopen it," the ministry said.

The alleged occupation has long marred relations between Russia, the legal successor to the Soviet Union, and the three Baltic States.

In 2000, the Lithuanian parliament enacted a law demanding compensation from Russia. Parliament instructed the government to evaluate the damage, form a delegation for negotiations and approach Russia. A special committee determined that Russia should pay Lithuania more than $28 billion.